Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING PRODUCTION OF THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT UNFOLD PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND THEREFORE MAY NOT INFLATE AS DESIGNED.
Risk: LOSS OF FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AUDI AT 1-800-822-2834.
On certain vehicles the drivers frontal airbag may not inflate as designed, which could cause driver injuries in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver airbag.
Certain Volkswagen Phaeton, Touareg, and Audi A8L vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 114. The steering wheel does not lock when the key is removed from the ignition switch using the optionally provided override device that permits key removal in the event of electrical system failure or when the transmission is not in the PARK position. Correction: Since this does not pose any safety risk, no corrective action is required.
Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Audi A8 (2 fires reported). Among 25 model years of this model, it ranks #3 for the most complaints (median 6).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 6 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | |
| Electrical system | 4 | |
| Suspension | 2 | |
| Service brakes | 2 | |
| Seats | 1 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Audi A8.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Audi A8 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
EPA ratings for each 2004 Audi A8 version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A8 L 4.2 L Automatic (S6) | 16 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.